Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Flashcards
The DSM system recognises OCD and a range of related disorders, what are some of these disorders?
- OCD,
- Trichotillomania,
- Hoarding disorder,
- Excoriation disorder.
The DSM system recognises OCD and a range of related disorders, what do these all have in common?
They are repetitive behaviours accompanied by obsessive thinking.
What does the DSM categorise Trichotillomania?
Compulsive hair pulling.
What does the DSM categorise Hoarding disorder?
The compulsive gathering of possessions and the inability to part with anything, regardless of its value.
What does the DSM categorise Excoriation disorder?
Compulsive skin picking.
What does the DSM categorise OCD?
Characterised by either obsessions and/or compulsions, (Most people with OCD have both).
What is meant by the behavioural characteristics?
The ways in which people act.
What is meant by the emotional characteristics?
The ways in which people feel.
What is meant by the cognitive characteristics?
The ways in which people think and process information.
What are the behavioural characteristics of OCD?
- Compulsions,
- Avoidance.
What are the emotional characteristics of OCD?
- Anxiety and distress,
- Accompanying depression,
- Guilt and disgust.
What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD?
- Obsessive thoughts,
- Cognitive strategies to deal with obsessions,
- Insight into excessive anxiety.
What are compulsions?
They are repetitive and ritualistic behaviours, they momentarily reduce anxiety when performed.
What does OCD stand for?
Obsessive Compulsive disorder.
What is avoidance?
The sufferer avoids situations that may trigger them.
Give some examples of common compulsions:
- Excessive washing/cleaning,
- Excessive checking,
- Hoarding,
- Repetition.
What are obsessions?
Persistent, intrusive and recurring thoughts or images.
Excessive washing of hands is an example of what?
Compulsions.
What is the main behavioural component of OCD?
Compulsive behaviour.
Compulsive behaviours have two main elements, what are these?
1) Compulsions are repetitive,
2) Compulsions reduce anxiety.
Most OCD sufferers experience both obsessions and compulsions, roughly how many suffer only compulsions?
10% experience compulsions alone.
Most OCD sufferers experience both obsessions and compulsions, roughly how many suffer only obsessions?
20% experience obsessions alone.
For around 90% of OCD sufferers the major cognitive feature of their condition is _____________.
Obsessive thoughts.
For around 90% of OCD sufferers the major cognitive feature of their condition is obsessive thoughts.
Explain how compulsions are repetitive:
Typically OCD sufferers feel compelled to repeat a behaviour because the action grants temporary belief, then the obsessive thought comes back soon after and the behaviour will repeat.
Explain how compulsions are repetitive:
Typically OCD sufferers feel compelled to repeat a behaviour because the action grants temporary belief, then the obsessive thought comes back soon after and the behaviour will repeat.
Explain how compulsions reduce anxiety:
For the majority of sufferers, compulsions are performed in an attempt to reduce the anxiety brought about by the obsessive thought.
Describe a cycle of OCD for someone suffering compulsive hand washing:
- Obsessive thought of germs on their hands,
- Creates anxiety,
- Compulsive behaviour of washing hands,
- Grants temporary relief,
- Obsessive thought repeats itself.
Explain why sufferers show avoidance behaviours:
The avoidance behaviour is done in attempt to reduce anxiety by keeping away from situations that trigger it.
Explain the emotional characteristic of anxiety and distress:
OCD is accompanied by powerful anxiety that follows obsessive thoughts. These thoughts are unpleasant and frightening which cause them to become overwhelmed, the compulsions also create anxiety and distress.
What is the largest emotional characteristic associated with OCD?
Anxiety.
Sufferers of compulsive hand washing may avoid coming into contact with germs, explain why:
To avoid having to repeat their compulsive hand washing.
What is the link between OCD and Depression?
They are often co-morbid, so anxiety can be accompanied by low mood and lack of enjoyment in activities.
Explain the characteristic of guilt and disgust:
OCD sometimes involves other negative emotions such as irrational guilt, or disgust which may be directed at something external, or at themselves.
What is the main cognitive characteristic of OCD?
Obsessive thoughts.
Describe a cycle of OCD for someone suffering compulsive checking:
- Obsessive thought of leaving something unsecured,
- Creates anxiety,
- Compulsive behaviour of checking,
- Grants temporary relief,
- Obsessive thought repeats itself.
Explain cognitive strategies to deal with obsessions:
Sufferers adopt cognitive coping strategies to deal with the anxiety but these often make the person appear abnormal to others and it can distract them from daily tasks.
Give an example of someone using a cognitive strategy to deal with obsessions:
A religious person tormented by obsessive guilt may respond by praying and meditating for long times.
Are sufferers aware that their obsessions and compulsions are irrational?
Yes, they are aware but cannot stop them.
Explain why OCD sufferers may tend to be hyper-vigilant:
Because they maintain constant alertness to keep attention focused for any potential hazards.
Explain what is meant by an obsessive thought:
A persistent, intrusive, recurring thought or image.
Give an example of an obsessive thought for someone with a compulsive hand washing regime:
A recurring worry about being contaminated with dirt and germs.
What method is used to diagnose someone with OCD an make sure that their diagnosis is reliable?
The test-retest method where they go to many doctors and the degree to which they all agree is the reliability of the diagnosis.
Why is the validity of OCD diagnosis often questioned?
Due to the self-report diagnosis’, it relies on the patient accurately reporting their symptoms which is subjective, doctors opinions are also subjective.
What is comorbidity and where do we see it in OCD?
The presence of one or more additional disorder, OCD is often co-morbid with depression.
Give an example of an obsessive thought for someone with a compulsive door lock checking regime:
The recurring thought of someone breaking into their house through the unlocked door.
What three type of characteristics are shown in OCD sufferers?
Cognitive - the way you think.
Emotional - the way you feel.
Behavioural - the way you act.
Obsessive thoughts differ in their nature, but what is true about all of them?
They all are unpleasant and cause anxiety.
Catastrophe thoughts about the worst case scenario are a characteristic under which type?
Cognitive.
Explain insight into excessive anxiety:
- They are aware it is irrational.
- Catastrophe thoughts about worst case scenarios.
- Hypervigilant to keep a look out.
